49ers activate RT Anthony Davis, put NT Ian Williams on injury list

Nose tackle Ian Williams won’t play this season because of an ankle injury

Anthony Davis’ reinstatement from the retired list meant the 49ers needed to create a roster spot Saturday, and they did that by placing nose tackle Ian Williams on the season-ending, injured-reserve list.

Williams required surgery on his troublesome left ankle earlier this offseason, and the severity of the injury wasn’t discovered until he took a physical that ultimately nixed a five-year contract extension in March. Williams instead signed a one-year, $1-million deal.

Williams spent the offseason program rehabilitating, leading to his placement Saturday on the reserve/non-football-injury list. Quinton Dial and Mike Purcell are top candidates to start at nose tackle in a base alignment with three down linemen.

As for Davis, several teammates said they’ve yet to seen Davis but welcomed his return and spoke positively about him.

“It’s good to have him back, definitely. He’s a guy that’s going to come in and help our offensive line a lot,” running back Carlos Hyde said. “But we also have young guys that are going to be competing for that spot, also. I don’t think anything is going to be given to him.

“He’ll definitely have to come in and work for it, just like everyone else. I’m definitely looking forward to training camp, you get to see what you have, definitely with the offensive line.”

Does Davis need to regain teammates’ respect after his 2014 exit?

“It’s up to him,” linebacker and team captain NaVorro Bowman said. “Him leaving the game was his personal decision. For him to come back, it shows he misses it.

“This is not an easy game,” Bowman added. “When you make a decision to come back, it shows you still love the game. Hopefully he comes back, is willing to work and just contribute the way I know he can. I’m excited about it.”

Wide receiver Torrey Smith joined the 49ers last year and doesn’t know Davis, but he’s played against him a couple times, including in Super Bowl XLVII. “From what I remember he’s a great football player, and he’s still very young,” Smith said. “Hopefully he’s back and he’s ready to go. But I haven’t seen him.”